"Pakistan targets militants' hide-out; Raids camp tied to those blamed for India attacks" by Laura King, Los Angeles Times | December 8, 2008
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - Pakistani troops yesterday reportedly raided a camp belonging to Lashkar-e-Taiba or an affiliated extremist group, in what would be the government's first strike at militants accused in the Mumbai attacks.
Details were sketchy, but local news accounts and witnesses said Pakistani security forces sealed off the camp near Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistani-controlled Kashmir. The Associated Press, citing two militants, reported today that Pakistani troops exchanged fire with members of the camp before seizing it and arresting more than 12 people.
Pakistan's government has been pressured by the United States and India to move against those believed responsible for the rampage by gunmen during November in Mumbai, India's commercial capital.
It was unclear, though, whether yesterday's reported raid was mainly a symbolic slap or meant to be a genuine blow to the group's infrastructure. Many of Lashkar-e-Taiba's training centers are thought to be in Pakistan's tribal areas along the border with Afghanistan.
Lashkar-e-Taiba was formed to fight Indian rule in Kashmir and has at times received active assistance from Pakistan's intelligence services. It has gained strength in recent years while Pakistan has battled other militant groups.
It had been thought that any Pakistani government action against the militants would most likely take place before today's start of the major Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, or the "Feast of Sacrifice."
Pakistan's civilian leadership, mindful of religious sensitivities, is worried about a backlash from insurgents and their sympathizers if it carries out major raids or high-profile arrests during the holiday. Eid al-Adha formally lasts three days, but will basically shut down the country - and much of the Muslim world - this week.
News accounts said the Pakistani operation took place in the Shawai district, a mountainous area outside Muzaffarabad. Pakistan's military had no immediate comment on the reported raid, which came as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice repeated US calls for Pakistan to move against militants suspected of carrying out the rampage at luxury hotels and other sites in Mumbai.
Indian investigators, supported by Western intelligence, believe Pakistan was used as a staging ground for the attacks. Indian authorities say that the sole captured gunman is a Pakistani and that the assailants were in touch by cellphone with handlers in Pakistan during the 60-hour siege....
I'm sorry, readers, but I've had enough cover story bulls***!
--more--"
For more on the Mumbai cover story, go HERE and scroll down as you read.
